ATLANTA (AP) — Corridor of Famer Greg Maddux threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Sunday night time’s Recreation 5 of the World Series.
Maddux, carrying his Braves jersey, tipped his cap in response to an ovation from followers as he walked onto the sphere. Fittingly, he threw the pitch to Eddie Perez, who was usually his designated catcher.
Perez, additionally a former Braves coach, now could be a particular advisor for participant improvement for the crew.
Maddux received 4 consecutive Cy Younger Awards for the Chicago Cubs and the Braves, together with in 1995 when he posted a exceptional 19-2 report with a 1.63 ERA for Atlanta’s 1995 World Series champion crew.
It was a uncommon Atlanta look for “Mad Dog” Maddux. The 55-year-old Maddux is the pitching coach for UNLV.
SLUMPING BREGMAN MOVES DOWN
Houston supervisor Dusty Baker moved struggling third baseman Alex Bregman down in his batting order.
Coming into Recreation 5, Bregman had just one hit in 14 World Series at-bats (.071) with no homers and one RBI. He was hitting seventh. He was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in Saturday’s night time’s 3-2 loss whereas hitting third in Recreation 4.
Baker met with Bregman to debate the transfer.
“He understood,” Baker mentioned. “He went out and took extra BP and just trying to find his stroke. So he’s a team guy. There’s no problem with him moving.”
Baker mentioned he hoped to maneuver Bregman again up in a lineup with the designated hitter if the Series returns to Houston for Recreation 6.
PERFECT AT HOME
The Braves entered Recreation 5 of the World Series towards Houston making an attempt to increase one in all their most spectacular dwelling postseason performances in crew historical past.
Coming into Sunday night time’s sport, the Braves had been 7-0 at dwelling within the postseason, together with wins in Video games 3 and 4 of the World Series. It's their second-longest dwelling successful streak within the postseason, and the longest in a single postseason. They received eight consecutive dwelling postseason video games from Oct. 7, 1995, to Oct. 9, 1996.
General, the Braves had received 12 of their final 13 dwelling video games earlier than Recreation 5.
Regardless of the robust end, the Braves’ dwelling benefit wasn’t almost as notable within the common season. They had been 42-38 at dwelling and 46-35 on the highway.
Astros supervisor Dusty Baker is aware of his crew additionally performs effectively at dwelling. The Astros are 5-2 at dwelling this postseason however wanted to keep away from elimination to maneuver the Series again to Houston.
“I’m just trying to figure out a way to get back in this thing, and more than anything, figure out a way to get back to Houston with some life because Houston gives us what Atlanta gives them,” Baker mentioned.
SUPER ROSARIO
At some point later, Braves left fielder Eddie Rosario’s backhanded catch on the wall of Jose Altuve’s drive within the eighth inning was nonetheless being mentioned. Rosario, working at full velocity, appeared to have luck on his aspect as he caught his glove out on the final second for the catch.
“I tip my cap,” right-hander Luke Jackson mentioned. “What a play by Rosario. I think that’s why he’s got the nickname Super Rosario right now.”
It was a spotlight of Atlanta’s 3-2 win however not essentially one to make use of as a information for younger outfielders, based on Braves supervisor Brian Snitker.
“I’m not even going to go look at that again,” Snitker mentioned after the sport. “I’m just glad he caught it. ... That’s probably not an instructional video we show our minor leaguers.”
ALVAREZ SORE BUT STARTING
Left fielder Yordan Alvarez, who crashed into the wall making an attempt to catch Jorge Soler’s go-ahead homer within the seventh inning of Recreation 4, was sore however capable of begin Sunday night time.
Baker mentioned he initially feared Alvarez harm his shoulder reaching for the ball when he hit the fence.
“He banged his knee on the fence because he had paint or something that came off on his knee,” Baker mentioned.
ASTROS’ NL OUTFIELD
Baker needed to reconfigure his outfield for the World Series video games performed in Atlanta, with no designated hitter beneath Nationwide League guidelines.
Alvarez usually was a delegated hitter however his transfer to the outfield meant Kyle Tucker has shifted to heart subject, the place he performed solely 4 video games within the common season. Michael Brantley is beginning in proper subject.
“Playing center is definitely different, but I think I’ve done a good job,” Tucker mentioned Saturday. “I just try to go out there and do my best and try to catch as many balls and get in as fast as possible. I think overall we’ve done pretty good.”
REMEMBERING ‘95 — SORT OF
Braves closer Will Smith, a native of Newnan, Georgia, said he cherishes memories of watching Atlanta games with his father. But the memories of the Braves’ 1995 World Series title are faint. Smith was solely 6 and on trip in Panama Metropolis, Florida, together with his household when the Braves beat the Indians within the World Series.
“I just remember my dad being super excited when Marquis Grissom caught the last out,” Smith mentioned. “I knew they won, but I was still too young to remember much.”
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